Worse Than The Reported News (Part V)

"Uhh... when did I fall asleep? ... Huh? Why can't I move my arms...?!"

"Shhh... that terrified look suits you though. Just as I thought... I really liked you, Mikhail."

Mikhail's eyes slowly adjusted to the lighting of the room. Susie was in front of him, a grin so wide on her face, it resembled nothing short of a devil.

His eyes dropped down, only for Mikhail to find himself bounded tightly by ropes. He opened his mouth to voice his complaints, but soon found himself gagged.

"That won't do. If you yell, everything that we've done would go to waste. Our village, gone forevermore. You wouldn't want that now, would you? So be a good boy and keep quiet. Maybe the nobles would buy you at a high price."

Mikhail knitted his brows as his screams were muffled by the gag. His face grew red from the anger he felt flowing within him. If she does this to him, what about his mother?!

"It's time for some peace and quiet, don't you think? I'll set the beasts free... then... those pesky soldiers will be no more. As for you, you just stay here with those troublemakers and wait for a buyer."

At those words, Mikhail felt Susie push his chest. He found himself falling backwards as he saw her gleaming eyes turning to slits, the malicious grin still plastered on her face. She grew further and further from him as Mikhail fell hard, hitting his head on the ground.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked in the darkness. Apparently Susie had shut whatever contraption was above as everything was now shrouded in darkness. Small streams of light barely escaped through the cracks of the floorboards. 

"Mmmgh! Mnngh!"

"Oh! Right! Quick guys!"

Mikhail soon found the ropes around his wrists loosened and the gag around his mouth released. He immediately tore through the rest of the ropes as he rubbed at his mouth, the burning sensation of the tight gag still fresh on his skin.

With a voice mixed in both confusion and anger, Mikhail stumbled on his words. "What... no... why are you down here? Did Susie really... did the..."

"Big brother, calm down. It's true... We are all going to be sold as slaves. It was unfortunate... that you found out. I... I used to live here as well... When I figured something was wrong... The villagers dragged me to the village head. I was tossed in here to be sold to some noble and my mother... they took her somewhere.... I never saw her again... sob..."

As Mikhail's eyes adjusted, he reached out to the boy and patted his head to calm him down. "There, now... I'm sure nothing is decided yet... you're still here. There's a possibility she is still..."

Without completing his sentence, the boy wrapped his arms around Mikhail as the other children started to get teary eyed. Mikhail swallowed his words as he too was worried about his mother's safety.

There shouldn't be any first move from the villagers' part as the army was in their vicinity. However, Mikhail had to get out to get his mother to safety. At least... hopefully, Xander could defend her. Mikhail's only problem was to figure out how to escape from here together with the other children.

***

"What do we do if the King perishes here?"

"Will the kingdom be handed to that boy? Even if he's the prince, he's still too young!"

"Watch your mouth! King Xander succeeded the throne when he was 18! The young Prince surely could do the same!"

"Men! Silence! Not one more word from you!" Richard yelled as his firm expression hardened.

Silence then filled the encampment as Richard's fierce gaze swept the room. He then left their temporary base, staring at the forest. As he was about to sigh, a movement caught his eyes.

Richard immediately called for his troops as he headed for the figure, hand over the hilt of his sword.

A stream of moonlight broke through as the clouds parted. Silver hair shone a brilliant ephemeral glow as the splash of red across his face was made more apparent on Xander's pale skin.

Richard froze for a second too long as he watched Xander trudge closer. Xander then shifted his gaze towards Richard as his sapphire eyes reflected the moonlight almost in a threatening manner.

"Richard, quick. Get these men some help!"

"Huh, uh... Yes! Your Highness!" Richard replied with a quick bow as he ordered his men to aid the King. He hadn't even noticed the injured men as the image of his King, covered in splashes of blood was the only thing he could think about.

Xander sighed in relief as the two men were immediately sent to the temporary medical bay. He swept the area as his gaze caught a familiar figure.

Almost instantaneously, he stood up and ran after said figure. All prior thoughts of his exhaustion, wiped clear from his mind. He only needed to confirm one thing.

"Diane! Is that you?" Xander's voice dropped to a low baritone laced with his heavy breathing as he grabbed the woman's hand.

The woman turned around, her violet eyes caught his sapphire ones. Her expression was one mixed in both confusion and anxiety.

"Your Highness?! Why are you here... no... wait... that's not it... Mikhail... do you know where he is?"

"Mikhail? He was at that black haired girl's house wasn't he? He didn't return home?"

"No! I went to every villager's house! He wasn't there! I feel something is wrong... I'm... worried... I'm scared something might happen to him..."

As Diane glanced around at her surroundings, her eyes landed on the blood that covered Xander's face.

"Bloo... Your Highness! Are you hurt? What happened?" Diane fussed as she inspected Xander's body for injuries.

"Huh... Oh, this isn't mine."

"What are you talking about? Your shoulder has a huge gash on it! Your armor must be useless!"

Xander held back his laughter as he thought about his armour. It was made with enhanced metal that had been refined and forged by the bestest of blacksmiths. His opponent must have been a descendent of a Holy Beast as it was able to easily tear through his armor.

"Maybe... I'm glad I got it though." Xander said as he smiled gently at Diane. She had said a short prayer, healing the wound almost instantly. 

"What? Are you crazy?"

"Only for you."

"... Forget it." Diane huffed with tinted cheeks as she pouted, averting her gaze from him. He had the audacity to make light of his wounds?

"On a serious note though... I need your help. My soldiers are injured. Their lives are hanging by a thread. Can I leave that to you? We'll search for Mikhail together later."

Diane stared at Xander whose expression was now serious. His eyes held hers as he stared at her hopefully.

"You know it is a secret... this ability..."

"I know. But I'll be by your side. You just need to tend the wound and say a short prayer, right?"

"... Just this once."

"Um... there's another thing..."

"... ... Just this time then." Diane sighed as she brought her gaze back to Xander again. He was as earnest as he was before... at the thought, she smiled sadly.

***

"Just a little higher... Oof!" Mikhail grunted as he fell with a thud. The boys beneath him tumbled along, landing in a heap on top of one another.

"Big bro Mikhail, are you okay?" a girl asked as she bent down to help him.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry I'm not that helpful." Mikhail said as he rubbed the back of his head apologetically. 

"Don't say that! We were close to giving up... you encouraged us to hold onto hope."

"I... suppose..." Mikhail said as he felt his face heat up from embarrassment. It felt awkward being complimented by children younger than him.

As they sat on the ground in silence, Mikhail heard the sound of dripping water from a part deep in the darkness. He stumbled up as he ran his hands along the walls of the underground room, heading towards the source of the sound.

"This is... Quick! Kids, come here! I may have found a way out."

***

As Diane mumbled soft prayers to herself, the soldiers stared in wonder at the woman that their King had brought to aid them. She had light brown hair that fell to her waist, a fair and lovely complexion that reminded them of the purest of silk and she had eyes that were never seen before, in conclusion, she was as lovely as a noble woman, however, even that word puts her beauty to shame.

As the men ogled her, Diane shifted uncomfortably as she tried to ignore their glances. She turned to look at Xander, sighing at the comforting feeling he gave her. Xander noticed her discomfort and glared at his men, nodding his head at Diane as an indication to follow him after she was done with the treatment.

"Diane. Thank you, for your help. I apologise for my men. They are quite... unfamiliar in dealing with women."

Diane shifted her weight awkwardly to the side as she nervously chuckled. "... That... that's fine. I was there only to help."

Xander narrowed his eyes towards her before sighing. He then extended his hand towards her with a gentle smile. He knew Diane well enough to know that she was suppressing her discomfort regarding the situation.

"Diane. Thank you, once again. Despite us being at odds, you've helped me once again."

Diane's jaw tightened as she kept her gaze fixated on Xander. Her hand that reached out to his froze mid-air as she pondered upon his words. The realisation of their close proximity and her current predicament filled her thoughts. 

He had broken his promise countless times before. He had tried to harm their child, nearly causing an abortion. Why... does he keep showing up? Why... do I still hold onto a sliver of hope... that it was all a misunderstanding? Why... do I want... to trust him?

As Diane was musing with her inner turmoil of emotions, Xander studied her features. It was hard to say that age caught up to her as she still looked as beautiful as she did when they were younger. The only difference being the wisdom in her eyes.

"Let's go, then. To help the other person." Diane said as she turned her gaze towards Xander. Their eyes locked and she felt her cheeks burn a little. Had he been staring at her?

"Name..."

"Pardon?"

"My name... why haven't you said it?" Xander asked, his voice laced with a tint of sadness.

Diane swallowed her breath as she averted her gaze. She then gave out an awkward chuckle as she tapped him lightly.

"Wha-what are you talking about? I did say it. Now, we'd better head off to help the others." Diane said lightly, her voice several pitch higher than usual. It was obvious she was lying.

Xander frowned as he knitted his brows. He then reached out to her hand and entwined it with his, interlacing their fingers together. He brought her hand to his lips in a suggestive manner, kissing it lightly as his gaze lingered on her face.

Diane's face flushed crimson red as she tried pulling her hands free from his. "What-- What are you doing? Th-there's no need to hold hands!"

"Of course, there is. It's dark... and... there are beasts. So I need you to stick close to my side at all times." Xander said as his thumb swirled the back of Diane's hand.

Diane stared at Xander blankly for a short moment before she turned her gaze forward. He just wanted to ensure my safety...

"W-well... Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." 

With a slight smile, Xander glanced at Diane's pouting face. He turned to look at their entwined hands as he nodded. "Of course. I'll keep you safe. I won't lose you again..."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

Xander shook his head silently, smiling gently at Diane as he led her to the forest. He had promised the beast he would help them, he didn't mind the tedious gesture as he could spend more time with Diane.